Art Meets Ancestry

June 18, 2025

Image Caption: Indigenous artist Sarah Clarke (green top) with artwork completed by residents at Merrylands.

In Aboriginal culture, Elders are the heart and soul of the community - deeply respected as they hold and pass on the stories as the custodians of wisdom.  

It’s no wonder then that proud Dunghutti woman Sarah Clarke feels a strong sense of belonging in aged care communities.  

Her chance encounter with Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) CEO Monique Reynolds at the Yabun Festival earlier this year, it sparked more than just a conversation - it cemented a relationship grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a deep commitment to honouring First Nations culture.  

Today, Sarah shares her culture and creativity through art classes with residents at our Plumpton, Merrylands, and Thornton Park sites and next month will expand to South Coogee, Maroubra, North Turramurra, and Daceyville. 

Sarah has not just found a role in our community, but a place where her culture, creativity, and deep respect for seniors come together, honouring their journeys while sharing her own. 

“In our culture, Elders are everything,” Sarah says.  

“They are the knowledge holders, the teachers, and the heart of our communities. They carry our stories, our language, our truth.  

“I have always respected my Elders no matter what culture or background they are from, it’s a massive part of who we are.  

“I love teaching people from all walks of life about Aboriginal people … from our arts and history, it’s all about bringing people together in a positive way to have a yarn and a laugh.  

“I would love this to be my life every day. Every art class is different; I just hope the residents walk away learning something positive from the sessions.” 

If the feedback from the residents is anything to go by, Sarah is achieving her goal.  

One resident said,

“The art class with Sarah made me feel like I had a closer connection to our land” while another remarked “as an artist myself I really enjoyed the session and learning a new technique while hearing about Aboriginal culture”. 

Sarah lives in Parramatta with her family of seven and works as an Aboriginal peer support worker with the Sydney Local Health District.  

She also teaches Aboriginal art in both one-on-one and group settings in the community.  

Her journey into painting began as a child in Kempsey, surrounded by an environment that celebrated and supported local Aboriginal artists.  

At around age nine, she began learning from a local artist, drawn not only to the beauty of the work but to the stories it carried and hasn’t put her brush down since.